Calif. K-9 clings to life after shot in face

An Anaheim police dog was shot in the face Thursday during a probation search and officer-involved shooting

By Ari Bloomekatz
Los Angeles Times

ANAHEIM, Calif. — An Anaheim police dog that was shot in the face Thursday during a probation search and officer-involved shooting is expected to survive after undergoing extensive surgery.

The chain of events began Thursday at 1:45 p.m. as two Orange County probation officers went to a home in the 1100 block of Mayfair Avenue, according to KTLA.

The probationer they were looking for was with two men who fled as authorities approached. One of the men shot at officers multiple times, Anaheim police said.

The police dog, Bruno, found one of the men during the ensuing search. The suspect was hiding near a trash can and fired on officers and Bruno, striking the dog in the face, according Anaheim Police Lt. Tim Schmidt.

Officers returned fire, killing the suspect, who was not immediately identified, at about 3:15 p.m.

A message posted on the department's Twitter account Thursday night said "Update: Bruno still in surgery. Round entered face and is lodged in his chest. Thank you for your support."

A message about two hours later said Bruno was out of surgery and is expected to survive, although surgeons had to remove part of a damaged lung.